Dutrieu, Hélène (1877–1961)

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Dutrieu, Hélène (1877–1961)

Belgian aviator. Name variations: Helene Marguerite Dutrieu. Born July 10, 1877, in Tournai, France; died June 25, 1961, in Paris; m. Pierre Mortier (French journalist), 1922 (died 1946).

The 1st Belgian woman pilot, began career as a world-class bicycle racer; received pilot license number 27 (Nov 25, 1910); was the 1st winner of the Coupe Femina (1910) and the 1st female pilot to carry a passenger in flight (April 19, 1910); was the 1st woman to remain airborne for more than an hour; won the King of Italy cup (1911), beating all the male pilots; was the 1st female pilot awarded the French Legion d'Honneur.